The agreement with Tillotts Pharma AG to distribute ENTOCORT® in Canada solidifies PENDOPHARM's objective to lead the Canadian gastroenterology therapeutic field and expands its scope in speciality areas of the gastroenterological market. ENTOCORT® is currently approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and in some markets for ulcerative colitis (UC). It is sold as capsules with enteric coated and delayed release pellets (for CD) and as enema (for UC)1,2.

MONTREAL, Sept. 28, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - PENDOPHARM a division of Pharmascience Inc., is pleased to announce its distribution agreement with Tillotts Pharma AG, Switzerland, to provide ENTOCORT® (budesonide) to gastroenterologists in Canada, further solidifying PENDOPHARM's objective to be a Canadian leader in the gastroenterological therapeutic area.

This partnership reinforces the bond between PENDOPHARM and Tillotts Pharma, who previously agreed on a marketing and detailing services arrangement in January 2016. Building on the success of the primary agreement, the distribution of ENTOCORT® expands PENDOPHARM's scope in specialty areas of the GI market such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D).

ENTOCORT® is a locally-acting glucocorticosteroid, currently approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). In some markets, including Canada, ENTOCORT® is approved for use in the treatment ofulcerative colitis (UC). Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal (GI) diseases affecting over 233,000 people in Canada3. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic, debilitating diseases that may lead to serious complications. Symptoms vary, but often include abdominal pain and diarrhea.4

"We're pleased that Tillotts will benefit from PENDOPHARM's expertise and strong network in the Canadian GI field for the distribution of ENTOCORT® in this country", says Mattias Norrman, COO Tillotts Pharma AG.

Hugo Boisvert, Vice-President of PENDOPHARM said, "We're very happy to be working with Tillotts to distribute ENTOCORT® and promote its therapeutic benefits to patients in Canada. ENTOCORT® is a strategic fit for our GI franchise and further develops PENDOPHARM's presence in the GI field while adding a key product to our portfolio."

About Tillotts

Tillotts Pharma AG, part of the Zeria Group, is a fast-growing specialty pharma company with over 200 employees in Switzerland and abroad. Tillotts is dedicated to the development, in/out-licensing and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products, medical devices and diagnostics, all in the field of gastroenterology. Please visit Tillotts' website www.tillotts.com. Tillotts successfully markets its own products in over 60 countries through its own affiliates within Europe and a carefully chosen network of gastroenterology-focused partners throughout the world.

About Pendopharm

PENDOPHARM was established in 2010 as the specialty branded division of Pharmascience Inc., a Canadian privately-owned company and the largest pharmaceutical employer in Quebec. PENDOPHARM is focused on growing its gastroenterology portfolio with innovative products for the global market. In addition to Gastroenterology, the PENDOPHARM pipeline spans multiple therapeutic areas including Allergy, Cough & Cold, Orthopedics and Specialty Products. Strategically committed to growth, PENDOPHARM is actively engaged in licensing, partnering, developing, and marketing specialty prescription medicines as well as consumer brands. For more information, please visit www.pendopharm.com.

About Pharmascience Inc.

Founded in 1983, Pharmascience Inc. is a full-service privately owned pharmaceutical company with strong roots in Canada and a growing global reach with product distribution in over 60 countries. Ranked 47th among Canada's top 100 R&D investors with $56 million invested annually, Pharmascience Inc. is the 10th largest pharmaceutical company in Canada. Pharmascience Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of prescription; generic, over-the-counter, and behind-the-counter products as well as FDA approved Canadian-made injectables. With over 1600 employees, Pharmascience Inc. is the largest pharmaceutical employer in Quebec and commercializes nearly 400 product families in 20 different dosage forms for over 2,000 products. In Canada alone, more than 45 million prescriptions a year are filled with Pharmascience products. Pharmascience Inc. has strong long-standing philanthropic ties with its communities, both locally and internationally. For more than 20 years, Pharmascience has been working through Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) as the partner of choice to increase access to medicine. Pharmascience's total donations of essential medicine, is close to $60 million. For more information, please visit www.pharmascience.com